Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fuels Program

Kairos; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Paid vacation

401(k) & pre-tax benefits

Job summary

Kairos Power is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to advance the fuels program. You will design, assemble, and commission process equipment for TRISO annular fuel production, collaborating across operations, QA, and EHS to ensure safe, reliable performance.

The role requires hands-on development, testing and optimization of prototype and production systems. Ideal candidates bring 6+ years in process equipment design and strong CAD/SolidWorks skills, with experience in PFDs/P&IDs, safety

Qualifications

• Experience in design, development, commissioning or support of mechanical or process equipment in manufacturing.
• Familiarity with process diagrams (PFDs, P&IDs) and material balances.
• Experience with hazardous processes and safety controls.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and test prototype assemblies for prototype conditions.
• Lead design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and operation of FOAK equipment for annular fuel production.
• Perform engineering analyses to substantiate designs.
• Monitor performance and implement modifications for reliability.
• Develop SOPs and maintenance documentation for safe operations.
• Coordinate mechanical with electrical, controls, and software teams.
• Ensure compliance with codes, safety regs and site standards.
• Identify opportunities for automation and measure cost savings.
• Lead root cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Work with internal teams and external vendors for procurement and manufacturing.

Skills

CAD/SolidWorks

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Process automation (PLC/SCADA)

PFD/P&ID/HMB basics

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fuels Program

Company Overview

Kairos Power is a new nuclear energy technology and engineering company whose mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy, with the ultimate goal to dramatically improve people’s quality of life while protecting the environment. This goal will be accomplished through the commercialization of the fluoride-salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) that can be deployed with robust safety, affordable costs, and flexible operation to accommodate the expansion of variable renewables.

Job Summary

Kairos Power is seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer with expertise in the development and implementation of chemical and physical processes stream related equipment, to support the Kairos Power fuels program. In this role, you will work within an engineering team to design, construct, commission and optimize performance of the process equipment necessary for TRISO annular fuel pebble fabrication. You will also work cross-functionally with facility operations, facility engineers, quality assurance, and EHS to enable supporting functions.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and test prototype assemblies to demonstrate functionality and performance under prototypic conditions.
• Lead and participate in design, manufacture, installation, commissioning, and operation of First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) equipment supporting KP Annular Fuel Production Systems.
• Performs and reviews engineering calculations, analyses and design evaluations necessary to substantiate equipment and system designs.
• Monitor equipment performance, recommend and perform design modifications to enhance system reliability based on operational feedback.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and maintenance documentation to ensure consistent and safe operations.
• Lead and participate in system integration across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software teams to deliver seamless, high-performing solutions.
• Ensure compliance of all systems with applicable industry codes, safety regulations and site-specific standards..
• Identify opportunities for automation within the Pebble Development Laboratory, implement solutions and measure impact using defined cost-savings metrics.
• Lead investigations into technical issues, perform root cause analyses, implement corrective actions, and support engineering changes and verification processes.
• Leverage internal manufacturing team and management of external vendors to manufacture/procure mechanical and automated systems, applying defined equipment selection criteria and manufacturability analysis.
• Lead and participate in design and safety reviews to validate designs prior to fabrication or implementation.
• Generate and maintain design records, equipment specifications and test reports compliant with internal quality and regulatory standards.
• Manage project timelines, budgets and deliverables for assigned systems or subprojects.
• Train and mentor team members, fostering technical growth and collaboration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline.
• 6+ years of relevant engineering experience in a chemical, pharmaceutical, industrial, manufacturing, or comparable process-based setting.
• Experience designing, developing, commissioning, or supporting mechanical or process equipment in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience in generating Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Heat & Material Balances (H&MBs), Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), equipment lists, and utility consumption lists.
• Experience working with hazardous processes and chemicals, including the implementation of appropriate safety controls.
• Experience in commissioning new vendor supplied equipment, as well as being able to commission in-house designed equipment.
• Mechatronics or electromechanical experience is desirable.
• Hands-on experience with process automation systems (e.g., PLCs, DCS, or SCADA systems) is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient with engineering software programs including CAD, SolidWorks and modeling software.
• Team player with excellent verbal, written communication/presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with highly collaborative teams.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement of existing equipment.
• Ability to verify process designs against mechanical designs, in keeping with operational and maintenance interfaces to ensure that systems and facility are optimal from an installation, integration, operational and maintenance perspective.
• Ability to apply engineering judgment to evaluate equipment and system designs for reliability, manufacturability, maintainability, operability, and performance.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex equipment and process-system issues, conduct root cause analysis and develop effective corrective actions.
• Ability to coordinate mechanical systems with electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation interfaces in multidisciplinary engineering environments.
• Familiar with process documentation, including PFDs and P&IDs, and how they inform industrial system operations and integration.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills, able to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments while maintaining attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document plans and effectively convey information across engineering, operations and leadership teams.
• Ability to be proactive and adaptable.
• Prioritizes and ensures safety of oneself and others.
• Ability to proactively collect, manage and transfer knowledge.
• Ability to seek different and novel ways to create efficiencies when working on problems, challenges and issues.

Physical Conditions

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, scissor lifts, articulated boom lifts and the like.
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Use hand tools.

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment.
• Odors or fumes from chemicals or chemical reactions.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced.
• Prototyping/Testing environment.
• Manufacturing/Industrial Environment.
• Radiological or Controlled Environment.

Safety and PPE

• Reading and interpreting hazardous warning signs.
• Reporting issues with equipment or unsafe conditions.
• Wearing proper PPE, to include face mask, face shields, gloves, safety shoes, etc.
• Handling of radiological materials.

Travel

• Some travel may be required <5%

Additional Requirements

• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility.
• Requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines (occasionally).

About our Benefits

We know that we have some of the most talented and dedicated employees, and we believe in rewarding them accordingly. If you work here, full-time employees (excludes interns) expect to have access to the benefits below:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for employees and their dependents
• Paid Vacation
• 401(k) and pre-tax health insurance, dependent care, and commuter benefits (FSA)

Kairos Power is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we do business. Kairos Power is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively welcome people of different experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Note: You are applying for a position that is located in a facility that handles information that is subject to export control restrictions by the Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. To work in this facility, you need to be authorized by the Department of Energy to access Part 810-controlled information. Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that are not on the Department of Energy’s general authorization list (link below) are not permitted to work in our facility unless the Department of Energy issues an export control license to the company to permit that individual to have access to Part 810-controlled information. The following questions are intended to determine the licensing requirements that may apply. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/10/appendix-A_to_part_810

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Kairos Power’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.